Advising services and important immigration information for international students can be found below. Maintaining your status as either an F-1 or J-1 student is your responsibility. It is important for you to understand the immigration rules and regulations.
Please read all information carefully before consulting an advisor. If you do not see the answer to your question, please contact the Office of International Programs (OIP) at 312-341-2062 or international@roosevelt.edu.
Visit the International Student Employment page for details on employment eligibility for F-1 and J-1 students.
Need to get in touch with the Office of International Programs? Please email us at international@roosevelt.edu or book an appointment with us through Navigate and select International Programs. We also have Drop-in Advising Hours (12 pm to 2 pm) during Thursday Common Hour in AUD 825.
From left:
- Anthony Osborne, SEVIS Compliance Officer
- Ayaka Sato-Small, Coordinator of the Office of International Programs
- Dr. Emily Elliot-Meisel, Director of the Office of International Programs
- Elizabeth Cobacho, English Language Programs Coordinator
It is very important for you to observe the following immigration regulations in order to avoid problems with your student status in the U.S.
Immigration Documents
- Do not let your passport expire. If you are approaching 6 months remaining before your passport expires, contact your home country’s consulate or embassy in the United States. Many countries have consulates right here in Chicago
- Check your I-94 record each time you enter the US. Your I-94 shows that you have legally entered the US and should show that you are in F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor and with permission to remain in the US for D/S (duration of status). Visit the US Customs and Border Protection's website to view your I-94 record. If your record does not show the correct status or does not show D/S, please visit OIP immediately.
- Make sure that your form I-20 or DS-2019 does not expire. If you will not finish your degree before the program completion date on your form I-20 or DS-2019, you must apply for a Program Extension. You should apply at least one month before your I-20 expires.
- Report any changes to your name or address to OIP within 10 days of moving to a new address.
- Notify OIP immediately if you change your academic plans. This includes changing your major, changing your degree level, or leaving before the end date on your form I-20 or DS-2019.
- Your form I-20 must match the university you are attending. If you are transferring to Roosevelt from another school or will transfer to another school after finishing your degree at Roosevelt, your SEVIS record will also need to be transferred.
- If you would like to request immigration documentation for your dependents (children under 18 or a spouse), you should submit a Dependent I-20/DS-2019 Request Form.
Health Insurance
- It is a Roosevelt University policy to provide proof of health care insurance for students living in the residence halls, participating in athletic programs, studying in the Pharmacy program or Doctorate of Clinical Psychology program as well as all F-1 and J-1 international students. Visit Student Health Insurance & Health Insurance Policy for more information about enrolling in health insurance as an international student. If you have questions about how health insurance works in the United States, please get in touch with the Office of International Programs. We’re here to help!
Class Schedule and Vacations
- Register full-time during the fall and spring semesters. You are not required to take any classes during the summer sessions.
- Full-time enrollment for undergraduate students is at least 12 credit hours per semester.
- Full-time enrollment for graduate students is at least 9 credit hours per semester.
- Full-time enrollment for CCPA Opera Diploma students is at least 6 credit hours per semester.
- Students are not permitted to take courses at any other institution outside of Roosevelt University unless you are granted permission. To discuss your options, please contact international@roosevelt.edu.
- Students are permitted to take one online/remote course per term. This means that they can take either one full semester (16 week) online/remote course or one online/remote course per 8-week term (Term A or Term B). Students may take as many online/remote classes as they wish during the summer term.
- Students are required to attend all their classes to remain compliant with their F-1 or J-1 visa. If a student has an emergency that requires that they miss class, they should get in touch with their professors and the Office of International Programs.
- As an international student, you are granted a specific period of time to complete your degree requirements. You must complete your degree by the completion date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you cannot finish your degree requirements by the estimated program end date, you must request a program extension and have been approved before your current I-20 or DS-2019 expires. Please email international@roosevelt.edu to begin this process.
- If you have changed your Major, added a Major/Minor, or changed the Degree Level (i.e. such as changing from a master’s to doctoral program), your SEVIS record will need to be updated. Please contact your academic advisor to begin this process. You may or may not need an updated I-20 or DS-2019, depending on the change.
Travel
- If you plan to travel internationally, submit a Travel Signature Form at least 7 business days before your planned travel.
- Travel during your Program
- If you are planning to travel such that you will miss courses, you will need to request and receive approval from your professors for you to miss class or attend virtually. Plan to travel with the following documents:
- A travel signature on your valid Form I-20 within the past year
- Valid Passport & F-1 Visa Stamp
- SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
- Evidence of Financial Support
- Course Registration
- If you plan to travel during breaks, it is still a good idea to carry all these documents with you in addition to your current course registration. It’s important to make sure you have registered for the next semester ahead of any travel during the summer.
- If you are planning to travel such that you will miss courses, you will need to request and receive approval from your professors for you to miss class or attend virtually. Plan to travel with the following documents:
- Traveling during OPT
- OIP does not recommend traveling after you have submitted your I-765 (OPT application) but before you have been approved for OPT and received your EAD card. If you plan to travel while you’re on OPT, plan to travel with the following documents:
- A travel signature on your valid Form I-20 within the past six months
- EAD Card
- Valid Passport & F-1 Visa Stamp
- Evidence of Financial Support
- Form I-797 approving your OPT
- Job Offer Letter
- OIP does not recommend traveling after you have submitted your I-765 (OPT application) but before you have been approved for OPT and received your EAD card. If you plan to travel while you’re on OPT, plan to travel with the following documents:
Employment
- International Students are only permitted to work with authorization from International Programs or from the USCIS. Visit International Student Employment for more information about working.
All F-1 and J-1 students (and their F-2 or J-2 dependents) are required to file income tax forms for each year they are present in the USA. This is required even if you did not work in the USA. Income taxes are due on April 15 in the following year; some years this may be 1-2 days later if April 15 is a weekend or holiday.
You are responsible for completing these forms. Unfortunately, during the "tax season" there is an increased chance of tax scams - the IRS has posted this notice of Five Easy Ways to Spot Suspicious Calls. Remember, the IRS (or other US Government agencies) does not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue; the IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.
Visit the section on Income Taxes on the International Student Employment page.
Transfer TO Roosevelt University
- If you are currently attending another institution or on OPT from another institution but have been accepted to Roosevelt University, we are thrilled to have you attend our institution! You will need your SEVIS record transferred from that institution to Roosevelt.
- Please keep the following steps in mind:
- Step 1: Receive your admission letter from Roosevelt University
- Step 2: Activate your RU NetID and email – this will ensure you receive all notifications from OIP
- Step 3: If you are a F-1 student, you will need to contact the DSO at your current institution and request to transfer out of that institution. They may ask you for the following information:
- Roosevelt University SEVIS codes:
- CHI214F01170000 (Chicago campus)
- CHI214F01170001 (Schaumburg campus)
- CHI214F01170003 (Harper College UC campus)
- Roosevelt University DSO contact: This should be the person you’ve been in touch with during your Admissions process. If you have questions about who to indicate here, you can contact intladmissions@roosevelt.edu.
- Roosevelt University SEVIS codes:
- Step 4: Complete Roosevelt University’s Transfer IN Form and email it to intladmissions@roosevelt.edu.
Transfer OUT of Roosevelt University
If you are currently attending Roosevelt University or you are on OPT from Roosevelt and have been accepted into a program of study at another institution, you will need to have your SEVIS record transferred to that institution. You must email international@roosevelt.edu if you have questions. The processing time for this request is typically 2-5 business days.
- Step 1: Receive your admissions letter to another institution
- Step 2: Complete Roosevelt University’s Transfer OUT Form
- All F-1 and J-1 international students are required to register full time for every semester or receive permission from OIP for a Reduced Course Load (RCL), which is anything less than full-time registration.
- For undergraduate students a minimum of 12 credits is considered full-time enrollment; for graduate students, a minimum of 9 credits is considered full-time enrollment.
- IMPORTANT: If you register or drop below full-time without OIP permission AND the support of your academic department, you will no longer be compliant with your F-1 or J-1 visa and you will be unable to stay and study in the United States. This will impact your ability to apply for CPT or OPT in the future.
- Who is eligible for a Reduced Course Load?
- Students in their Final Semester: if it is your final semester before you complete your academic program and you have fewer than full-time credits remaining to finish your degree program, reach out to international@roosevelt.edu
- Medical Condition/Illness: if you have a medical condition requiring you to take a leave of absence or reduced course load, you will need to submit a request for a Reduced Course Load. However, keep in mind that you will be required to provide documentation from a medical professional confirming the need to drop below full-time or take a leave of absence. Please email international@roosevelt.edu and make sure to also contact your Advisor so that you understand the academic implications of dropping courses and so that this change to your student account can be processed.
- Academic Challenges: if you are in your first term at Roosevelt and struggling with adapting to your courses or operating in English, you may submit a request for a Reduced Course Load. Please email international@roosevelt.edu and make sure to also contact your Advisor so that you understand the academic implications of dropping courses and so that this change to your student account can be processed.
Letter Requests
International Programs can help provide information on international students' current immigration status. This includes letters to their consulate or embassy, scholarship information, etc. It may take 5-7 business days to issue requested letters. During busy times, this wait time may be longer. Please submit all required documents to OIP first to ensure smoother and quicker processing.
- Good Standing Letter Request - to confirm your current academic and immigration status. This can be used to open a bank account or apply for a driver's license and/or state ID.
- Graduation Visitation Letter Request - to invite up to two immediate family members (parents/legal guardian, siblings, spouses, children, and grandparents) to visit the US to attend the graduation ceremony. Please note that the US Department of State doesn't require this type of letter for the visa process. This letter can only be issued for students who are graduating in the current term and have applied for graduation application.
Employment Forms
Please visit the International Student Employment page for more information.
Please visit the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services for detailed information on obtaining the Illinois Driver's License, Temporary Visitor Driver's License, or Illinois State ID Card.
Illinois Driver's License:
- If you are a first time driver and would like to practice driving before taking the behind-the-wheel driving test, you may apply for a 12-Month Instruction Permit.
- All applicants must also pass a written test. Please see the “Rules of the Road” for details on Illinois laws.
- If you have a U.S. Social Security Number, you qualify for a Driver's License, and may apply at any Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Office location by presenting four forms of identification: (A) written signature; (B) Proof of Date of Birth; (C) Social Security Number; and (D) Residency. Please click here for a list of acceptable forms of identification.
Illinois State ID Card:
- If you wish to apply for an Illinois State ID Card, you must be able to provide the same documents listed for the driver’s license at any Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Office location; however you will not need to take the driving test.
Illinois Temporary Visitor Driver's License (TVDL):
- If you do not have a U.S. Social Security Number, you may qualify for a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL). To apply for an Illinois TVDL, you must be:
- A non-U.S. citizen who has been granted temporary and legal entry to the U.S.;
- Temporarily residing in Illinois;
- Ineligible for a Social Security number: You need to get a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office stating that you are not eligible to have a Social Security Number. This letter must be dated within 90 days of the date of your application for a TVDL, and can be obtained from any SSA office.
- A qualified application must be authorized to be in the country for at least one year, and have at least six months remaining on an authorized stay.
- A TVDL is valid for three years or for the period of time the applicant is authorized to stay in this country; whichever comes first.
- There are limited Chicago area Driver Services Offices authorized to issue Temporary Visitor Driver's Licenses. Please check the Illinois Secretary of State website to find the nearest location.
- Office Chicago West Facility (5301 W. Lexington Street, Chicago, IL 60644) and Chicago North Facility (5401 N. Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630). Applicants must visit one of the two facilities in person during the business hours; appointments are not accepted. Please check online for their current business hours.
- Applicants are required to present four forms of identification (see above) as well as proof of your current immigration status, such as your I-94 , I-20 Form or DS-2019 Form, and a letter from SSA office evidencing your ineligibility for a Social Security number.
The Office of International Programs offers free, unlimited one-on-one English support sessions for any students with the English Support Coordinator. The English Support Coordinator offers 30-minute appointments, available in person or online via Zoom, where you'll receive support to enhance the following:
- Speaking: Practice conversations, improve class discussion skills, and refine pronunciation. Reading: Learn techniques to effectively read class materials and build your vocabulary.
- Writing: Get help analyzing assignments, organizing your ideas, and editing for grammar. Listening: Develop strategies to better understand lectures or classmates and improve notetaking.
- Culture: Gain insights into American culture, the City of Chicago, and social life in a university context.
- And other academic skills and topics.
Please make an appointment through the Navigate app. You can also visit the Office of International Programs in AUD 686, call (312) 341-2084, or email international@roosevelt.edu to get more information about English support services.